Assessment shows health shortcomings

Saturday

Feb 2, 2013 at 12:01 AM

How are those New Year's resolutions concerning your health coming? With 2013 now a month old, hopefully those who vowed to exercise more, eat better and discard unhealthy habits are sticking to their plans. Friday was frigid, but soon the temperatures will warm and the days will grow longer, making outdoor exercise more of an attractive option.

How are those New Year's resolutions concerning your health coming? With 2013 now a month old, hopefully those who vowed to exercise more, eat better and discard unhealthy habits are sticking to their plans. Friday was frigid, but soon the temperatures will warm and the days will grow longer, making outdoor exercise more of an attractive option.Those who may be wavering in their commitments can use the 2012 Davidson County Health Assessment as motivation. The assessment showed 67 percent of county resident are overweight or obese, less than half exercise enough and only about 20 percent eat enough fruits and vegetables daily, among other findings. Those are areas that individuals can easily address without much expense or professional intervention. Health professionals will continue to seek ways to spread the message and encourage Davidson County residents to become more healthy, which will reduce medical costs and lead to longer lives.Fare thee well, John Gray. After a 37-year career in local government, Gray retired this week as city manager of Lexington. The county native spent his entire career in government, first with Davidson County and then with the City of Lexington, the final 10-plus years as city manager. Public employees often take a bum rap, but those who serve the public ably for so long, especially in their home county, deserve a round of applause. Gray can move into the next phase of his life with the assurance that Lexington is a better place because of his efforts.In a story about his retirement, Gray mentioned the ongoing efforts to rehabilitate the Depot District in Lexington, which would include a multimodal transportation station. The city wants to have a mural painted to enhance the district and is seeking artists to submit applications. Residents and visitors have shown enthusiasm for Uptown Lexington's Pigs in the City public art exhibits, so the mural could offer another artistic touch to the city. Hopefully a good number of artists will apply and provide the city a good pool from which to select a winner.People who lost money in Zeek Rewards, which the government has labeled a Ponzi scheme, received the clearest indication yet about when they might get some of their money back. Kenneth Bell, the court-appointed receiver, released his liquidation plan late Thursday. Soon those who lost money will be able to file claims, and Bell hopes to make distributions by the end of 2014. That's still almost two years away, but at least a time frame now exists. Bell also continues to seek funds from those who profited, and more legal maneuvering is sure to come.